The first National Stalking Awareness Day was supported by Twyford’s MP.

Wednesday was the first national day, marking two years since the launch of the National Stalking Helpline.

Charities state that one in five women and one in 10 men will be stalked at some point in their lives, but they feel the crime is not being taken seriously enough.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: “Stalking is an abhorrent crime that can devastate people’s lives.

“We are taking urgent action to make stalking a specific offence.

“We want to make sure that justice is done, that we protect victims and show beyond doubt that stalking is a crime.”

The National Stalking Helpline is taking more calls than ever from people reporting unwanted behaviour.

Mrs May said: “We are giving the police new powers of entry and looking at better training and guidance for the police and prosecutors to ensure victims get the protection they deserve.”

Kristiana Wrixon from the National Stalking Helpline said: “It’s important that people are aware of how sinister and prevalent a crime stalking is. Thirty years ago the majority of people didn’t understand how extreme the problem of domestic abuse was but thankfully these attitudes have improved.”

Stalking has moved online in recent years and the National Centre for Cyberstalking Research found that 54.7 per cent of men and 43.1 per cent of women gave up social activities as a result of being cyberstalked.-

- If you are affected, then call the National Stalking Helpline on 0800 802 0300 weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm, except Wednesdays 1pm and 4pm.